JERUSALEM – October 6, 2008 – In October 2000, 13 people – all except one Arab citizens of Israel – were shot dead by Israeli security forces during demonstrations in the country’s North. As a result of a public campaign led by human rights organizations, lawyers, and public figures, the government decided to appoint an inquiry commission to probe the events: the circumstances and background within which they took place and the conduct of the security forces involved.
The Commission, headed by Justice Theodore Or, published the most voluminous, comprehensive, and momentous report to date on the plight of Arab citizens of Israel. It stated that “achieving equality for the Arab citizens of Israel should be a prime objective of the government… In this context, the government should initiate, develop, and operate programs aimed at reducing inequality, while highlighting budget gaps in areas such as education, housing, industrial development, employment, and services. Special attention should be paid to the plight and abject living conditions of the Bedouin.”
The Or Commission also recommended that the Department for the Investigation of Police Activities should open criminal investigations for those responsible for the killings. Despite this explicit directive, all of the investigations against police officers were terminated prematurely, without sufficient treatment. Moreover, Attorney General Meni Mazuz, rather than criticizing the department for its poor conduct, threw his full support behind it. This move, combined with the failure to bring the suspects to justice, increased Israeli Arabs’ already grave distrust of the police, and increased the feeling among them that for many officials in the establishment, the lives of Arab citizens have little value.
Since the publication of the Or Commission report, little has been done to improve the standing of the Arab community in Israel. Consecutive governments have adhered to policies of discrimination and neglect and have absolved themselves of their obligations toward Arab citizens. In the absence of fair and enforced state policies, inequality continues to grow between Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens.
Below, we list a few areas in which discrimination and neglect have increased in the past 8 years:
Police violence toward Arab citizens: Since the events of October 2000, 34 Arab citizens have been killed by police, the most recent of which was the death of Sabri El Jarajawi, who died of his wounds in July 2008 after being assaulted by police. In most cases, no charges at all, or very lenient ones, have been pressed. The officers involved were not dismissed, and instead continue to work in their current positions. The police’s complete disregard for the lives of Arab citizens raises grave concerns and proves that the police has blatantly ignored the findings of the Or Commission, which urged the police to adopt measures to reduce hostility toward Arab citizens.
Interrogation of political and social activists by Shin Bet: We have witnessed a growing trend whereby Arab social and political activists are interrogated by Shin Bet Security Services about lawful social and political activities. This trend limits legitimate public activity, and severely infringes on freedom of expression and thought and the right to political organization.
Planning freeze in Arab communities: Israel’s planning authorities continue to disregard the development needs of Arab towns, thereby harming residents’ living conditions. Due to lack of official planning procedures, thousands of houses have been built without the necessary permits. The families living in houses built without permits are deprived of basic services by the State such as water, electricity, etc. Similarly, because of the lack of planning, these communities suffer from a shortage of buildings to house public services such as health, education, and culture.
House demolition in Bedouin villages in the Negev: Each year, the State demolishes dozens of houses belonging to Arab-Bedouin families in unrecognized villages in the Negev. Each time this happens, dozens of families, including children, are abandoned, left without shelter. This ongoing policy breaches the Bedouins’ right to dignity, privacy, and security. Moreover, the government has recently stepped up its official policy of removing entire Bedouin communities from their lands in the Negev and moving them to a smaller area, forcing them to give up their traditional lifestyle, culture and economy.
The events of October 2000 were one of the most pronounced manifestations of institutionalized racism and discrimination against the Arab minority in Israel’s history. The mindset of the police – the belief that they were facing an enemy rather than Israeli citizens during the demonstrations that day – led to the deaths of 13 people.
In a democratic country, the protection of minority rights is in the interest of both the minority and the majority. Racism and discrimination directed at one minority group undermines democracy and risks affecting other groups and society as a whole.
Eight years after October 2000, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) calls on the government to implement the recommendations of the Or Commission, name October 1st an official day of reckoning on Israeli democracy, and promote equality, tolerance, and democratic values among all members of Israeli society.
